The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.

Loading ...

Loading ...

This story appears in the {{article.article.magazine.pretty_date}} issue of {{article.article.magazine.pubName}}. Subscribe

Okay, first, a disclaimer. This may not be what every wife or girlfriend wants. These are things I, and the women I know would want. I’m pretty sure there are women out there that have something really specific in mind that they want this year… “So help me G-d, if I don’t get those Naughty Monkey slouchy boots in black, someone’s in trouble!” This list is not going to help that person’s significant other. But if you’re part of the other 99.9% of the population this will help.

Get her a MAC Gift Certificate. MAC is one of the world’s leading cosmetic lines and has stores worldwide. I, and many other women, would covet this gift. I’m picturing popping into a MAC store and running rampant through lip glosses, eye shadows, bronzers and buying something totally indulgent that you wouldn’t possibly wear every day – like lashes out to there that maybe sparkle a bit. I’d also pick up the newest VIVA GLAM lipstick or lipglass http://www.vivaglam.com/. Every cent of the sale price goes to help those living with HIV/AIDS around the world. Lady Gaga has been the face of the VIVA GLAM campaign since 2009, so this gift is hip. Looking good, feeling good.

There are few people of either gender who would consider this a bad gift. From massages to facials, a spa day equals relaxation and escape from the day to day. The only downside to this gift is making the difficult decision about which treatments to get and which to turn down. There are only so many hours in a day after all…

Join ABC's Million Moms Challenge, a call to action to engage a million Americans with millions of moms in the developing world around issues that impact pregnancy, childbirth and children's health. The link below provides ways to give a gift that saves a life. http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/million-moms-fund/. She’ll be touched by your thoughtfulness, and the fact that she inspired you to take action in the season of giving. Combine this with either of the gifts above and hit a true home run…

--Maya

Maya, I’m a guy. And while I don’t want to Bah Humbug the season, given a choice between dental surgery and going shopping in a store that doesn’t feature meat, fruit and dairy; I’m picking the chair, opening my mouth as wide as I can and hoping that what happens next doesn’t hurt too much.

But I do have a gift list suitable for the season. It’s designed for everyone’s tough-times finances. Easy shopping - no running from store to store or internet site to internet site. There’s nothing you’ll need to wrap. No paper on the floor. No one is likely to return what you’re giving them. These are Christmas Day presents to give the people with whom you live; the ones you love and who love you in return. Ten things for others…and one to keep for yourself.

Slow down for a day. Do less. See what happens.

Turn off your cellphone(s).

Don’t write or answer any e-mails.

Call someone you haven’t spoken to in too long.

Have a real face-to-face conversation with someone while not doing something else at the same time.

Tell someone how you feel about them. Look them in the eyes while you’re doing it. (Better if it’s someone you feel positively about. It’s Christmas, after all.)

Thank someone for doing something that’s normally never noticed.

At some point during waking hours, turn off all of the televisions and computer screens.

Think about something personal that happily surprised you in the last year.

Do something kind, even if it’s just a small thing.

Bonus gift – just for you: Do nothing for one hour. Nothing at all. Don’t read. Don’t watch TV. Don’t listen to music. Just do nothing.

Some of life’s biggest presents are the small ones; the ones that come from our heart; the biggest gift box we all share. Time. Attention. A gentle word. An act of caring.

So, maybe on this Christmas Day, take yourself and your loved ones on the ultimate holiday trip. Unplug for a day. Slow down. Connect and create memories that will frame well in sepia tones.